Body objectification in the context of illness: narrative descriptions

Based on narrative descriptions (n = 30, 2022-2023) the article reveals the problematics of body objectification during illness. Three models of body perception are distinguished: the body as a machine/tool; the body as sensation and feelings; the body as a showcase/facade. The informants’ attitude to their body has an instrumental character: the body acts as a resource that is used to achieve certain goals in different spheres of activity. The value of the body is manifested under the constraints of illness and its reduced ability to effectively perform prescribed everyday functions. It is argued that the objectification of the body, on the one hand, in the long term may hinder the development of health-saving strategies, on the other hand, forms value attitudes to reliability and stability in everyday practices.